arizona news
Has been updated: April 10, 2023 1:13 PM
(YouTube screenshot/KTAR news)
PHOENIX — Machines to detect drugs and other contraband going into and out of Maricopa County jails are nearing installation, Sheriff Paul Penzone said Monday.
Penzone said KTAR News The Mike Bloomhead Show on 92.3 FM The machine has been shipped to 5 prisons. This comes at good timing for the agency, which has been hit with drug overdoses and smuggling attempts since the initiative was announced in January.
“Anyone who might be considering bringing contraband should set high standards to prevent it,” Penzone said.
Most recently, there was an MCSO case involving an overdose and drug confiscation from a new inmate a few days ago.
On Friday, seven inmates were hospitalized after an apparent fentanyl overdose at Estrella Prison.
The MCSO also announced earlier this week that it had seized 100 blue pills, believed to be fentanyl, from an inmate during processing.
The decision to install the machines was announced in January after detainees were arrested on suspicion of trying to smuggle pills into Lower Buckeye Prison.
“If we’re serious about drug-free prisons, it’s neither possible nor realistic, but a thoughtful commitment to the fact that it has to be for everyone, not just our employees. I think it can be mitigated with,” said Penzone.
According to Penzone, special response teams “very aggressively” randomly enter units seeking drugs.
Penzone added that the MCSO is increasing its search for prison pods and adopting other mitigation measures in preparation for the installation of the machine.
“We are trying to increase the volume of investigations and thoroughly scrutinize inmates who attempt to extract drugs before entering prison,” Penzone said.
